| Digitization of rare manuscripts in Sharda, Sanskrit at a heavy cost…! | | Nod to Singapore based NGO without clearance from GOI, concerned Minister | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 11: Thousands of manuscripts, so precious and a real treasure of J&K are under threat of losing that rare tag as authorities of Archives, Archaeology and Museum-the care taking department is understood to have given go ahead signal to a Singapore based NGO for digitizing them. The NGO is said to have agreed to do the 'job' free of cost albeit on a condition that it will keep, rather get away with one digitized copy, a cost that will deprive the state of this ancient and rich cultural heritage. Sources said that higher authorities in the concerned Ministry have set into process the formalities that will allow one Singapore based NGO to do digitization of rare and hundreds of years old manuscripts written in Sharda and Sanskrit, the only two languages, which the NGO had sought and was more than willing to do without charging anything in return. Sources further said besides what could be seen as intriguing and mysterious interest of the said NGO only for the two manuscripts of Sharda and Sanskrit, the worrying fact remains that authorities have agreed the condition of giving one digitized copy , without caring or looking as to what impact the move shall have in losing this rare piece of cultural heritage, a pride only this state owns in possessing them. Sources said even as the digitization move has been appreciated for the fact that it will result in preservation of these rare manuscripts but this is being done without completing formal procedure that requires to follow certain guidelines set up essentially for protection of Intellectual Property Rights, under which rare manuscripts of any language too need formal permission from the ministry of culture both at the Centre and State level. Sources said the concerned authorities have sought permission from none of the two and gone by itself in granting so in somewhat ambiguous manner. Sources further said even though the said NGO has headquarters in Singapore, the man who heads it is from Indian origin which is why he is well acquainted with the value of these manuscripts, which are rare for more than one reason. It goes without saying that these manuscripts are not in published form and till date the property of the J&K alone, but once its digitized copy goes in hands of NGO, it will lose that rare tag, sources in the department explained adding that the said NGO can exploit the manuscripts at the international level, given the fact it has potential and both the languages are nowadays much in demand in west and European countries. While the concerned minister who happens to be Dr Hasseb Drabu may be unaware of the development, it is high time he takes a serious note and order enquiry into it besides issuing swift directions to stop this digitisation work at a heavy cost. |
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